All human beings are influenced by the three modes of material nature which keep an individual bound in the cycle of birth and death. These three qualities of virtue (sattva), passion (rajas) and ignorance (tamas) exist within all human beings and fluctuate in proportion from time to time, but the prevailing quality in a person is a result of that person’s past life karma. The dominating quality is visible through an individual’s habits, character and tendencies.

The Three Modes of Material Nature

Saatvik/Virtue

Rajas/Passion

Tamas/Ignorance

This is the mode of goodness, purity and illumination and attaches the individual to material existence (the continued cycle of birth and death) through attraction towards desire for knowledge and happiness

This is the mode of passion, ambition, constant activity, lust, desires, and infatuation and attaches the individual to material existence through attachment to fruitive activities/work (activities that bind the individual in the cycle of birth and death due to one’s attachment to the results of their karma or actions)

This is the mode of darkness, and is characterized by the state of delusion, ignorance and laziness, the inability to focus and binds the individual to material existence through ignorance, delusions or distorted views, laziness, sluggishness, procrastination and irresponsibility

The result of activities performed in the mode of goodness is purity and wisdom

The result of activities performed in the mode of ambition or passion is misery and greed. The very same things that once gave pleasure ultimately give sorrow. For example, foods that are extremely pleasing to the taste buds over time result in disease. Or the individuals who once gave you joy, and life without them seemed impossible are the very ones that now give you sorrow.

The result of activities performed in the mode of ignorance is lack of knowledge

Such a person is situated in non violence, charity, truthfulness, compassion, modesty, determination and performs actions that are devoid of attachment to the results, knows right from wrong

Such a person is situated in performing actions that result in some reward.

Such a person performs actions that result in violence and destruction without taking into consideration the consequences.

One dominated by the quality of sattva or goodness, believes all his actions are a result of the three qualities of sattva, rajas and tamas. He performs actions (duties and responsibilities) free from attachment to any desired result and knows that the soul is not the same as the physical body. He has control over his mind and senses.

One dominated by the rajas guna or quality of passion is full of pride, ambition and desire. He seeks pleasures and sense gratification and is stuck in material bondage.

One situated in the tamas guna or the quality of darkness believes he is the doer of actions, believes physical body as the self, is egotistic, dominated by the senses, full of desires and attachment, ignorant and delusional.

A person situated in saatvik guna is drawn mainly towards saatvik foods or nourishing foods that promote health, vitality, long life and foods that are pleasing to the heart (meaning give contentment) such as fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, ghee etc, and foods cooked in little oil and fewer spices.

A person situated in rajas guna is drawn mostly towards rajasic foods that provide instant gratification or momentary pleasure cause sickness, disease and distress and misery in the body such as foods that are hot, spicy, sour, tangy and pungent and food that are cooked with lots of spices and oil.

Is drawn mainly towards tamsic foods that are impure and stale. Examples are foods that are fermented, preserved, canned, frozen dinners, stale foods, cold foods, barbecued food, meat and alcohol and left overs of others.

Saatvik individuals are more interested in advancing spiritual upliftment

Rajasic individuals are more interested in advancing material upliftment

A person in state of tamas day dreams a lot

One situated in sattva guna or the quality of goodness feels oneness and unity with all living entities

One situated in the mode of rajas or passion looks at all living entities as separate and different from him. Almost all human beings operate in this mode in day to day life

One situated in the mode of tamas has fragmented thinking. Such an individual is ignorant and limited and stubborn in his thinking. Has a closed mind and is very rigid in his views.

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